Rhode lay down.
Not because he was defeated, but because he ran out of Magic Power.
The consumption of the Mountain Dragon Soul was terrifying, and his Magic Power was drained while the effect of the Crown of Insight was still active.
Rhode probably experienced over a minute of evenly matched combat with Mira.
However, compared to Mira's all-encompassing enhancement from Satan's Soul, Rhode's Mountain Dragon Soul seemed more like a defense-specialized type.
Even if he didn't make any defensive moves and let Mira hit him a few times, it didn't matter, while Mira would be in pain for a long time from just one of his punches.
Considering he's still unfamiliar with Earth Magic, the Mountain Dragon Soul can be said to be quite powerful.
The only downside is that it consumes too much.
But if the Mountain Sub-Dragon knew his worries, it would definitely tell him: That's your flaw, not the Dragon Soul's flaw.
Currently, during the intermission, Rhode lay on Mira's lap to rest, even stretching out a hand to rub her belly.
Excuse: "I hit you, I'm sorry, I have to make it better."
At first, Mira felt her cheeks turn hot, but it soon felt quite comfortable.
She also reached out to massage Rhode's scalp.
Rhode enjoyed a triple indulgence, and realized that he must continue training.
Otherwise, his back and legs might give out someday.
...
The battle took place quite a distance from town, and by the time they returned, it was already late.
Restored by the lingering effects of the blue buff, Rhode took Mira home.
Mira gave him a quick kiss before running off, not giving him a chance to come inside.
Rhode had no choice but to head back himself.
The window at home had already been repaired; in the morning, Brother Goodman, the landlord, had asked about it.
Rhode apologized, saying he accidentally broke it during a quarrel with his girlfriend.
Goodman nodded in understanding, as if suddenly realizing, and patted Rhode on the shoulder.
Not really angry since, compared to other mishaps in Fairy Tail, breaking a window was nothing.
And having a girlfriend...
Even though Miss Mirajane seemed gentle, those who knew her past understood her nature.
Rhode felt there might be another story within Goodman's expression—as if he too had been hit by his wife?
...
Sparring wasn't a daily activity; Rhode usually practiced the partial reception of the Mountain Dragon Soul more.
Thanks to his previous hard training in other forms, the practice progress of the Dragon Soul form was going well.
Before he could increase his total Magic Power, the partial reception of the Mountain Dragon Soul would be quite an important Combat Form for him.
Besides that, there's also the Canyon Vanguard.
Overall, it has a longer duration than the full reception of the Dragon Soul.
But compared to receiving the Canyon Vanguard, Rhode preferred driving in its 'cockpit' like an experienced driver.
Days passed, and Erza stood up Rhode.
After completing her last task, she immediately took on a new one.
The reason was that on her mission, she saw armor she wanted that was quite expensive. Additionally, she had a new design idea for armor that required a significant amount of material cost.
Rhode had seen Erza's design sketches; they were too abstract to understand.
Shockingly, Mira could actually understand them and even gave Erza some suggestions for improvements.
The two of them seemed quite delighted in their conversation, and Rhode could only surmise this was the common language of abstract artists.
According to their description, it seemed like they wanted to create armor with great elasticity, even fully flexible — which wasn't armor anymore, but rather a set of cloth clothes.
Rhode couldn't imagine what purpose such flexibility served... perhaps to not need alterations if one gained weight?
In any case, to obtain two new sets of armor, Erza took on a task with a reward of 3 million J.
The objective was to hunt down a powerful Magical Beast with horns on its head, which was not only formidable but also adept at escaping, making it quite troublesome.
Even Erza anticipated spending some time to resolve this.
"How about the three of us form a team?" Rhode was somewhat tempted by the reward, and it wasn't entirely to ride their coattails.
Against such a beast, skilled at running away, three people working together would be more efficient than one.
The time saved could be spent taking on other missions, which was indeed one of the purposes of forming a team.
Erza was a bit tempted, as teaming up with Rhode had been a positive experience.
However, Mira objected: "No, it's already the end of the month, and the President forbade the two of us from going far."
Erza left with regret.
Rhode sighed as well, missing out on a million.
Mira nudged Rhode with her shoulder: "If you want to make money, I can accompany you on nearby tasks, ones we can finish and return on the same day."
Rhode nodded: "That's fine too."
Earning money while dating, why not? It had been a while since they had done this, and he felt a bit nostalgic.
Amidst the hustle and bustle, a new month arrived.
As the new month began, after taking inventory of the Guild's supplies with Mira, they went out for shopping.
"Do you remember what day it is the day after tomorrow?"
"The day after tomorrow?" Rhode's first thought was her birthday, but that wasn't right; Mira's birthday was in August.
Mira smiled, "It's the anniversary of your official enrollment in the Guild."
Rhode recalled and remarked, "It's already been a year."
"Yes, the strongest rookie, Rhode, has become a very reliable mage. How about we celebrate it?"
"Sure. But I think today is important too." Rhode shifted the bags to his right hand and held her hand with his now free left hand.
Without waiting for Mira to say anything, Rhode continued, "Today is the day we first met, Mira...Jane?"
He mimicked the way he pronounced Mira's name the first time, with the same tone.
It was also the first word he learned in this world.
Mira thought for a bit, and followed suit, "Rho...de?"
Both of them laughed, never imagining this day would come.
"What kind of Fairy Tail Mages are they, just a bunch of drunkards!"
"Don't talk about my dad like that!"
"But he always smells of alcohol, not elegant like a mage at all."
"We'll become knights in the future, no way we're becoming mages!"
The bickering of a few kids caught the attention of Rhode and Mira. The one being teased seemed to be Romeo, Macao's son.
Those kids seemed to notice two adults and, recognizing them as Fairy Tail members, scampered off.
If it were adults bad-mouthing Fairy Tail mages, Rhode and Mira might have already knocked them flat.
But with the kids squabbling, they couldn't take it seriously, and besides...what those kids said was kind of accurate.
However, their attitude was terrible, and speaking ill of someone's father is pretty disrespectful.
"Sister Mira, Brother Rhode..." Although on the verge of tears from being teased, Romeo still greeted them politely.
Mira handed everything she was holding to Rhode, went up, and patted Romeo's head, "Don't mind what they said. Your dad is a very powerful mage."
"No, I need to prove that my dad is stronger than theirs!"
Romeo ran off, and neither of them thought much of it; comparing whose dad is stronger is common among kids.
Hope Uncle Macao doesn't focus only on his girlfriend and gives more attention to Romeo.
When they finished their shopping and returned to the guild, Macao came over with a task slip.
"I've accepted this task."
Today, Macao seemed different, not his usual rundown self.
"Hakobe Snow Mountain, defeating Valken?"
Rhode frowned. He hadn't seen Valken with his own eyes, but heard it was a very strong magical beast. Wasn't this uncle getting ahead of himself?
Mira asked worriedly, "Is it because of Romeo?"
Macao was stunned, "You guys know?"
Rhode said, "We came across it while shopping, just kids arguing. Don't push yourself too hard, uncle."
Macao said with a serious expression, "As a dad, there are things that must be defended."
Rhode didn't think much of it. Kids would forget about bickering over face in a few days, nothing worth defending.
Macao looked at him with an ambiguous smile, "You'll understand when you and Mira have kids, good luck."
Bam! Mira stamped the task slip hard, cracking the table surface in several places.
"Travel-safe-oh~ Uncle." Mira gave a kind smile.
The president, napping cross-legged on the counter, was startled awake.
Macao was also frightened, but still secretly winked at Rhode.
Rhode ignored him, providing the necessary information by habit, and reminded him about avoiding avalanches and running if the situation looked bad.
"You brat, who's going to run away? When I became a mage, you weren't even born yet! Three to five Valkens are nothing!"
Macao waved dismissively and strode out.
"Will he be alright?" Rhode asked the president.
The president shook his head, "Three to five Valkens, just like he said, are no problem."
"Oh." Rhode held Mira's hand, feeling the table surface cracked by her slap, "Why did you hit it so hard? The table's ruined...does your hand hurt?"
"I'm back! Completed the task perfectly this time!"
"Aye!" Hapi chimed in, "Only burned down one church though!"
Makarov dropped headfirst from the counter, "Natsu!"
Natsu got a scolding from the president, not too harsh, as destroying only one church seemed quite restrained for Natsu.
Still, he had to write a reflection.
Gray also returned today, claiming he perfectly dismantled a smuggling ring this time, and definitely didn't walk the streets naked.
But Makarov still felt uneasy.
Judging by the schedule, several more troublesome kids were due back over the next couple of days.
The president wearily went up to the second floor, utterly exhausted.
Natsu, after being reprimanded, stayed quiet for a good while but unexpectedly got into a fight with Gray again by evening.
A bunch of people cheered around them.
Until Nicky came in from outside, "Natsu, there you are. I heard the Fire Dragon appeared in Harujion."
Boom!
Amidst the brawl, Natsu suddenly used magic to overpower Gray.
He rushed in front of Nicky, "What did you say? Where's the Fire Dragon?"
"Harujion...that's just what I heard..."
"Hapi, let's go!" Natsu grabbed his luggage, still unpacked, and dashed out in a hurry.
"Wait, Natsu!" Hapi flew to follow him, calling back at the door, "Rhode, the grilled fish we ordered is for Warm!"
"Alright..." Rhode replied, but felt something was wrong, "But you haven't paid yet!"
"No problem." Mira cheerfully waved a wallet at Rhode, "He left his wallet here."
"That's great then."
It should contain the reward from their task this time, Rhode had no qualms about keeping it.
"Damn it, Natsu!!!" Gray jumped up, covering his cheek, "Sneaking an attack, you wait!"